What Are You Listening To Right Now (Part IV)

[Vyn]

I've always felt that The Clash could have been...more. Early on I think they were overhyped, and then later on overrated. That's not to say they were bad, London Calling is a genius piece of work. But like you mentioned KDC, that's when they finally got it all together, and while their following releases had some good songs, none matched London Calling. Yet the band seemed to have a reserve of musical genius hiding just under the surface that was never tapped into.

[Zzzptm]

For me, it's The Damned that delivered most on UK Punk's promise.

[Vyn]

To me (and I love The Damned) true, actual "punk music" was a flash in the pan. As it should have been - youthful consternation at the state of the world expressed through music regardless of affinity or skill. Obviously, most any "rebellious" music flows from that same font: old enough to now know more than a person has ever known, young enough to not have much wisdom, and emotionally ravaged through hormonal disruption enough to think they have all the answers.

But punk music had something special, it was more than the music, it was a zeitgeist of time and place. An aggressive, chaotic reaction to peace and love, sparked off by the more plainly evident commercialism of rock music. Punks liked early Black Sabbath because they were working stiffs trying to live their collective dream, while at the same time hating the likes of Led Zeppelin.

By the mid-1970s, Led Zeppelin, along with other major rock acts like Pink Floyd, The Eagles, and Yes, had become symbols of the massive, arena-filling, and often heavily-produced rock scene that dominated the music industry.

These bands, while musically innovative and respected, were seen by punks as being part of a bloated, self-indulgent, and highly commercialized system. The long, complex compositions, elaborate stage productions, and superstar personas of these rock bands were a sharp contrast to the DIY, raw, and straightforward nature of punk music. The music and ethos of punk bands like The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and The Damned sought to tear down this perceived rock aristocracy and return music to a more immediate and rebellious state.

While many of these classic rock bands were technically skilled and successful, they represented everything punk sought to challenge: commercialization, excess, and distance from the everyday struggles of the working class.

Once the punks made their musical statement, well, it was done. Of course the genre grew over time, and a lot of great tunes were made - some of the og punks managed to get some sense and while they may have "sold out" they moved society forward, if just a little, by continuing to be involved. But that first salvo of discordant guitars that blasted out of New York and London was magic. And in a flash, it was gone.

[Zzzptm]

Now I gotta play more punk rock

[Vyn]

Saturday - rainy all day (which we desperately need). Indoor chores being done tag team style with my wife, current musical accompaniment supplied by the green-splash vinyl version of The Raconteurs' 2019 release Help Us Stranger.

I've always found the various incarnations of Jack White and his bands to be, "sort of," interesting.

Despite his undeniable skill and having a song here and there that I think is pretty good, he/they just have never made it any higher in my esteem.

I believe that has to do with the calculated nature of his output. His, "garage-like," sound is a strategy rather than the result of necessity.

It's all INAUTHENTIC.

And that's what my problemo is with Jacko and his musico.

Come on Jackie, give us something REAL!

In the meantime, this here is good enough to fold laundry to:

[Zzzptm]

Last night, I was at a KNON benefit concert that featured The Drop-Top Rockets, Marti Brom, and my faves - The Go-Go Rillas.



Surf rock NEEDS to be played by dudes in gorilla heads with fezzes!

[Charger]

The Crypt - Halos

[Zzzptm]

Action Packed - Ronnie Dawson

[Charger]

Black Sabbath - Neon Knights (Live Evil Remix)

[Zzzptm]

Black Sabbath - Neon Knights (Live Evil Remix)

 

[Charger]

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (Live Evil remix)

[Vyn]

Sigh - "Prelude to the Oracle"

Japanese extreme metal at 0500 on a Saturday morning...wakey, wakey!

[Zzzptm]

Fats Domino. This week in 1957 saw him being saluted and toasted for having sold 25 million records.

[Charger]

Saxon - Stand Up And Be Counted

[Zzzptm]

I'm Ready for Love - Martha & The Vandellas